Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Certain academic programs in the US allow international students on F-1 visas to work off-campus as part of the curriculum. This allows the students to get work experience in the US while earning money to offset some costs and get credits toward course completion.

If their program allows them to participate in CPT, the student should contact their Designated School Official (DSO) to authorize their training request in SEVIS. It is a free service to the students.

CPT Eligibility Criteria

• Must have a valid F-1 visa
• Student should have already been enrolled in the full-time program for at least a year or two semesters, equaling 9 months
• The training should be an integral part of the course completion
• Student must have a job offer from an employer before applying for CPT to get the authorization for that particular employer
• When pursuing CPT, the student has to stay enrolled in the full-time academic program

Duration of CPT

The validity and duration of CPT is decided per semester by the school based on the student's study program. There is no limit to how long the CPT can be, it is dependent upon the academic program. The only setback to undertaking 12 months or more of full-time CPT is that the student will be ineligible to take the OPT.

Types of CPT

Different academic programs have different requirements for CPT, and the CPT can be divided into various categories.

Based on Duration

• Part-time CPT

  Part-time CPT allows students to work up to 20 hours per week, usually when the school is in session. The duration of part-time CPT has no bearing on the duration of OPT.

• Full-time CPT

  Full-time CPT allows students to work more than 20 hours per week, typically during breaks or when they are not attending classes. Pursuing full-time CPT for over 12 months renders the student ineligible for OPT.

Based on Requirement

• Required CPT

  This type of CPT is mandatory for course completion and must be finished before graduation. Work experience is integral to completing the course successfully. In this case, work experience is mandatory for both international and domestic students.

• Non-required CPT

  This CPT is integral to the coursework but not mandatory. Should students choose not to pursue the CPT, they can undertake additional courses to make up the credits.

Based on Payment

• Paid Internship

  Paid CPT is popular since students are paid for their work while gaining work experience.

• Non-paid Internship

  Some employers provide valuable work experience and usually collaborate with the school to provide students with practical knowledge.

Based on Type of Work

• Co-op CPT

  Co-op CPT allows the student to balance between work and studies, alternating between the two.

• Research CPT

  Students perform research work in their area of study, resulting in a thesis or dissertation. This might include lab work or other academic projects. The research could be funded by the university or employers.

CPT Authorization Process

Students need to have the approved CPT authorization to take part in this training. It can take 1-2 weeks to get the approved I-20. Keeping this in mind, they should start the process on time and communicate with their DSO and the employer on the training requirements.

Search for the job

The students are required to search for jobs themselves. The office for international students in their school can provide guidance on finding the right job, but it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the job aligns with the academic requirements.

Apply for CPT authorization

The school's DSO will review the offer letter from the employer to ensure that the job aligns with the academic program. Once it is deemed appropriate, the DSO will obtain authorization by submitting the request in SEVIS for that particular employer.

Get the new Form I-20

After the authorization is approved, the DSO will print and sign the new Form I-20. This form will specify the start and end dates of the employment with the employer. If the employer or the dates change, the student will have to reach out to their DSO again and get a new, updated Form I-20.

Begin CPT

The students cannot start work before the start date and must finish before the end date mentioned in the Form I-20. They should also adhere to the number of hours they are allowed to work per week.

Some Things to Keep in Mind

• The training should be directly related to the student's area of study
• The student should not be studying English as a second language
• CPT is pursued during the course duration and before graduation
• Students should make sure to follow all the rules and restrictions mentioned in the Form I-20